NFC can't start up with SoftDevice S140 using SDK 15.3

[Andy Tsai]

Hi All,

I have a problem when enabling the NFC tag t2t with the soft device S140 with 52840.

I can run the NFC example project 'nRF5_SDK_15.3.0_59ac345\examples\nfc\record_urlrecord_url' correctly on my hardware, but when porting the demo code to my project, the NFC tag cannot be start up. By reviewing the posts on the forum, I guess it should be the problem of the soft device.

I have read the post here:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/42141/nrf52832---nfc-stops-working-when-softdevice-is-enabled/164732#164732

I had followed the instruction to patch the file "flash_placement.xml", but it not work, perhaps it might be workable only for SDK14.0 ?

My environment is:

NRF52840

SoftDevice 6.1.1,  S140

nRF5_SDK_15.3.0_59ac345

Keil ARM 5.21

The projects codes has BLE/GPIO/SPI/TWI running smoothly. But when testing the record_url example codes, I disable them all.

Is there anything I missed ? Any help would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Andy

[Edvin]

I used the Keil compiler, and programmed it via Keil (just pressing F8 while the DK is connected). 

I initially used TagWriter from NXP, but the NFC Tools worked as well.

merged_file.hex

The merged_file.hex contains the softdevice and the application that you sent me. If you flash this to the nRF52840 DK, does LED1 blink?

And what happens if you try to read the NFC? Do you get any reads? Is the data corrupted, or don't you get any readings at all?

Do you get any NFC reads if you just use the unmodified nfc examples?

BR,

Edvin

[Andy Tsai]

I can get correct URL responding if I just use the unmodified record_url example., surely no SD with it. Sorry I am not in the office now, I will try your hex file , around 12 hours later, and tell you the test result. Thank you very much.

Best Regards,

Andy

[Edvin]

You need the softdevice in order to run that application, because the application requires the softdevice. Try the merged hex file.

BR,

Edvin

[Andy Tsai]

Although I have no DK on hand, but when I load your HEX code, the NFC can work perfectly, I can read the correct URL. Then I make a try, use keil IDE to program my test app(the simple merged project) into the board which already has you code, it should work with you SD, but the NFC looks not working.

[Andy Tsai]

So I list something I did:

1. Before I test my BLE related APP, I always flash the S140. I am experienced with 52840 BLE application development.

2. Running the record_url  example, I always clear the chip and run it, because the record_url can not boot up when S140 exists. the example works.

3. Running the merged example(record_url + ble_uart), I always flash the S140. The NFC result is fail. later I will add a LED flashing to see if it is alives.

4. My environment is MDK 5.21a, package family is 8.24. I use a 52840 based application board.

I will ask  my colleague who has DK on hand, and run my merged code to see what happen.